Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a broad range of complex disorders characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication difficulties. Some studies have found that ASD could result from the disruption of normal brain development early in fetal development, possibly due to defects in genes or the effect of environmental factors(cite). Although the results of some animal experiments and population studies indicated the potential influence of vitamin D deficiency in neurodevelopmental disorder, the author pointed out that few studies have focused on the vitamin D status of pediatric patients with ASD. In order to investigate the potential role of vitamin D in children with autism, this case-controlled cross-sectional study
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Diagnosis of autism was consistent with DSM-IV criteria of the American Psychiatric Association and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) (Lord, Rutter et al. 1994). The primary predictors of this study were serum levels of 25-hydroxy (25(OH)D), 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) and calcium, which were assessed in duplicate by the standard laboratory method. Other parameters included birth month and season of birth. The investigator also analyzed the association between vitamin D and parent consanguinity, birth month as well as convulsions history among children with …show more content…
First, this was a case-controlled cross-sectional study. Inevitably, the proper temporal sequence cannot be firmly established. In this study, it was difficult to know whether the lower serum level of vitamin D causally leaded to the occurrence of autism. Autism is a multifaceted disorder that is frequently accompanied by abnormal eating behaviors. It is possible that vitamin D deficiency can be the consequence of the highly selective eating habits which is typical for autistic children.
Second, cases in this study were selected from one medical service unit, diagnosed based on DSM-IV criteria and Autism Diagnostic Interview, which might arise several issues. The key issue was selection bias due to selection in single hospital site. Some factors that were unique to this medical service unit could probably be associated with vitamin D deficiency, leading the overestimation of association between vitamin D deficiency and autism. It is rational to presume that the clinic for “Children with Special Needs” where cases were recruited could tend to accept more inactive children due to their health condition than dental outpatient clinics or vaccination health office. Regardless of autism, those inactive children predisposed to vitamin D deficiency so that the results in the study may not be generalizable to all autism children in
Diagnosis of autism was consistent with DSM-IV criteria of the American Psychiatric Association and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) (Lord, Rutter et al. 1994). The primary predictors of this study were serum levels of 25-hydroxy (25(OH)D), 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) and calcium, which were assessed in duplicate by the standard laboratory method. Other parameters included birth month and season of birth. The investigator also analyzed the association between vitamin D and parent consanguinity, birth month as well as convulsions history among children with …show more content…
First, this was a case-controlled cross-sectional study. Inevitably, the proper temporal sequence cannot be firmly established. In this study, it was difficult to know whether the lower serum level of vitamin D causally leaded to the occurrence of autism. Autism is a multifaceted disorder that is frequently accompanied by abnormal eating behaviors. It is possible that vitamin D deficiency can be the consequence of the highly selective eating habits which is typical for autistic children.
Second, cases in this study were selected from one medical service unit, diagnosed based on DSM-IV criteria and Autism Diagnostic Interview, which might arise several issues. The key issue was selection bias due to selection in single hospital site. Some factors that were unique to this medical service unit could probably be associated with vitamin D deficiency, leading the overestimation of association between vitamin D deficiency and autism. It is rational to presume that the clinic for “Children with Special Needs” where cases were recruited could tend to accept more inactive children due to their health condition than dental outpatient clinics or vaccination health office. Regardless of autism, those inactive children predisposed to vitamin D deficiency so that the results in the study may not be generalizable to all autism children in